Three Western student-athletes, Lori Josephson, Ashley Snider, and Danielle Spice have all been selected to play on the international stage and will represent Rugby Canada in the  Under 20 Nations Cup in England this coming July.
 
“I am very proud of our athletes and all the hard work they put in to their training,” said Mustangs head coach Natascha Wesch. "One of the main development focus points of the Mustang program is to create an environment where athletes can be prepared to take their game to the next level. These young women have worked hard to develop their game and have taken advantage of what our program has to offer.” 
 
“Being selected to the U20 National team is a huge step towards Rugby Canada's senior national program, and I know that each one of these athletes has what it takes to get there. It's simply a matter of time and experiences such as this one."
 
The Nations Cup is an international women’s rugby series organized jointly by USA Rugby, England’s Rugby Football Union, and Rugby Canada, and played every second year with rotating host locations.
 
Josephson, a fourth-year King’s College student is coming off of a strong 2012 season that saw Josephson place in the top 20 in OUA scoring, ranking in 11th place with 35 points on seven tries. For her efforts Josephson was named one of the 2012 OUA All-Stars in the Shiels Divison. The Beaverton, Ontario native is looking forward to the tournament saying that “it's an honour to get this opportunity and represent my country.”
 
Ashley Snider, a second year Kinesiology student from Kitchener, Ontario and Danielle Spice, a first year Science student from Oakville, Ontario will be joining Josephson on the Canadian U20 squad.
 
Snider is no stranger to the Nations Cup, having played for the Canadian U20 team two years ago when it finished third.
 
“I can't wait to play with previous teammates, and of course with my Western teammates in England,” said Snider. “Overall I'm just hoping to go to Nations Cup fit, strong, and healthy, and show what I have on the world stage.”
 
Rounding out the trio of Western players is Spice who got her university rugby career off to a fast start in 2012, earning OUA Rookie of the Year honours in the Shiels Division.
 
"Being selected to play for Canada is like a dream come true,” said Spice. "After all the hard work in the weight room and on the field, it is great to be able to represent my country on the international stage. I am also so happy and proud of my fellow Mustangs that were named to the squad. Together we will have purple pride but be wearing red and black."
 
The U20 Nations Cup is scheduled to kick off on July 8th in England.